JP2007111524A - Method and device for contactless determination of body temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable accurate and reliable contactless determination of the body core temperature of a person with a low operating effort by improving a method and a measuring device for contactless determination of the body core temperature of a person. <P>SOLUTION: In this method, a temperature sensor unit 2 locally identifies a measuring area 8 on a body in a first step. The measuring area 8 on the body is resolved by the temperature sensor unit 2, a measuring site 6 on the body is detected, and the detection by the temperature sensor 2 is carried out at the body measurement site 6 in a second step. A scanning unit 5 is associated with the temperature sensor unit 2 to enable the temperature sensor unit 2 to be automatically directed to the measuring site 6 on the body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for prescribing a human body core temperature in a non-contact manner, and includes a temperature sensor unit disposed at a predetermined body measurement location and isolated from the body measurement location. The sensor signal formed and detected by the temperature sensor unit is transmitted to the evaluation unit for evaluating the sensor signal and calculating the body core, and the temperature signal formed in the evaluation unit was determined It relates to a type of transmission to a notification unit for visual notification of body core temperature.

  Furthermore, the present invention is a measuring device for prescribing a human body core temperature in a non-contact manner, a temperature sensor unit for detecting a surface temperature of a human body, and a sensor signal transmitted from the temperature sensor unit. It relates to a type in which an evaluation unit for evaluating and calculating a temperature signal and a notification unit for visual and / or audible notification of the core temperature of the human body are provided.

From German patent application publication no. 102004027443, a measuring device is known for regulating the human body temperature in a non-contact manner. On the one hand, this known measuring device has a temperature sensor unit for detecting the surface temperature of the human body. On the other hand, the known measuring device has an evaluation unit for evaluating the sensor signal detected by the temperature sensor unit and calculating the current temperature signal. The temperature signal is then visually reproduced by a notification unit located behind. In order to be able to perform an accurate measurement, it is necessary to accurately orient a known measuring device to a desired body measurement location. If the measuring device is directed, for example, to a relatively cold part of the body or to human clothes, it can lead to inadvertent mismeasurements. Furthermore, if the temperature sensor unit detects the temperature of the heated breathing tube, the heated infusion tube, or the part of the thermotherapy device, it may lead to incorrect measurement as well as misdirection.
Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application Publication No. 102004027443

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve a method and a measuring device for defining a human body core temperature in a non-contact manner in the form described at the beginning, so that the human body core temperature can be reduced with little effort. It is possible to provide an accurate and reliable non-contact specification.

  In order to solve this problem, in the method of the present invention, in relation to the superordinate concept part of claim 1, in the first stage, the temperature sensor unit specifies the location of the body measurement region, and in the second stage, the body. The measurement region was disassembled by the temperature sensor unit, thereby detecting a body measurement location, and performing detection by the temperature sensor unit at the body measurement location.

  Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the configuration of the present invention, a scanning unit is arranged corresponding to the temperature sensor unit in association with the high-order concept part according to claim 5. To be directed to physical measurement points.

  In particular, the advantage of the method according to the invention is that automatic scanning of the human body measurement area always allows an accurate definition of the body core temperature. On the one hand, it is sufficient for the temperature sensor unit to be directed to the body or body measurement area at the start of the measurement. This can be done manually or automatically. Then, the temperature sensor unit is accurately oriented with respect to a predetermined body measurement location where the detection of the surface temperature is performed by scanning the body measurement area, or by disassembly by sensors arranged linearly or in a plane. The surface temperature is detected at this body measurement location. Therefore, manual orientation of the temperature sensor unit to the body measurement location is no longer necessary. On the other hand, automatic orientation of the temperature sensor unit is always performed, for example in case the baby's body moves or changes position in the incubator. Because the temperature sensor unit “follows” the body measurement location by continuous scanning and disassembly of the body measurement area, the temperature sensor unit is constantly adjusted to a predetermined body measurement location.

  Due to the limited scanning and resolution to the body measurement area, temperature measurements with high resolution or relatively small variation can be made. Otherwise, the resolution of the scanning motion performed over the whole body may be lower.

  According to another advantageous method of the invention, the body measurement area can be scanned continuously or at predetermined fixed or variable time intervals. This provides a continuous or nearly continuous detection of the patient's surface temperature over a relatively long period of time in a particularly well temperature-controlled area of the body.

  In yet another advantageous method of the invention, the orientation of the temperature sensor unit to the body measurement area can be performed manually or automatically by the orientation scanning unit. Thereby, at the start of the measurement operation, a relatively rough orientation of the temperature sensor unit to the body is performed with a simple operation.

  A particular advantage of the measuring device according to the invention is that the provision of an additional scanning unit makes it possible to adapt the position of the temperature sensor unit relative to the body measurement site with a simple operation. The scanning unit allows the body to be scanned so that measurements are taken at body measurement points where the surface temperature is relatively high compared to the surface temperature of the adjacent region. That is, the surface temperature at this body measurement location is relatively higher than the surface temperature of the adjacent portion. Thus, for example, temperature measurement can be performed by detecting the surface temperature in the ear region or the eye region. By carrying out the so-called “post-adjustment” of the temperature sensor unit, a relatively accurate temperature measurement is guaranteed with a simple operation.

  According to another advantageous configuration of the measuring device, the temperature sensor unit may comprise one or more infrared sensors. These infrared sensors are formed as point sensors and / or sensors arranged in rows or matrices. Thereby, scanning and disassembly covering the area of the measurement value portion are performed in association with the one-dimensional or two-dimensional sensor holder of the scanning unit.

  According to yet another advantageous configuration of the invention, the scanning unit comprises an actuator or a coupling. These actuators or joints act directly on the sensor holder that holds the temperature sensor unit, allowing a relatively precise motion trajectory of the sensors of the temperature sensor unit. The actuator may be formed as a step motor, for example.

  According to yet another advantageous configuration of the invention, a stabilization device is provided, so that there is always a large difference between the skin surface temperature to be measured and the ambient temperature.

  According to yet another advantageous configuration of the invention, an orientation field is removably applied to the body measurement region or body measurement location, thus providing a reference point for the temperature sensor unit. From this reference point, a controlled orientation can be derived in the direction of the measured value location using the scanning unit. The orientation field allows the specified body part to be visually identified. This identification can be recognized by a web camera, for example.

  According to yet another advantageous configuration of the invention, a calibration field is provided in the body or in the thermotherapy device, for example an incubator. This calibration field has a defined emissivity and / or a predetermined temperature. Orientation of the temperature sensor unit to the calibration field allows temperature measurement calibration. This results in improved absolute accuracy of temperature measurement. The calibration field is controlled regularly or when necessary. Calibration can be performed after the validity of the measured values is examined. Advantageously, the temperature of the calibration field is measured by adjusting the temperature of a thermotherapy device fitted with a measuring device. Alternatively, however, the temperature measurement can be measured independently of the thermotherapy device.

  In the following, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The measuring device 1 according to the present invention for regulating the human body temperature in a non-contact manner mainly includes a temperature sensor unit 2 for detecting a surface temperature (skin temperature T _h1 ) and the temperature sensor unit 2. An evaluation unit 3 for evaluating the sensor signal and calculating the core temperature value T _c , a notification unit 4 for notifying the body core temperature T _c visually and / or audibly, and a temperature sensor unit 2 And a scanning unit 5 which automatically directs to the body measurement point 6.

The body measurement location 6 may be, for example, the ear region of an infant 7 lying in an incubator. In order to measure the body core temperature _Tc , the operator can orient the temperature sensor unit 2 to the body measurement region 8 surrounding the body measurement location 6. The body measurement region 8 may be formed by the head of the infant 7, for example. Alternatively, the operator can point the temperature sensor unit 2 or the measuring device 1 to any region of the infant 7 body. The orientation of the temperature sensor unit 2 toward the body measurement region 8 can alternatively be automatically performed by the scanning unit 5 itself.

In the next second stage, the scanning unit 5 enables scanning of the body measurement area 8 under constant detection of the skin temperature _{Th 1} until the orientation of the temperature sensor unit 2 to the body measurement location 6 is achieved. Since the body measurement point 6 is excellent in that a particularly high skin temperature _Th1 can be measured at the body measurement point 6, an accurate definition of the body core temperature _Tc can be generally performed. The body measurement point 6 may be arranged in the temporal region, eyes, or abdomen, alternatively to the ear region. In this case, for the measurement, a measurement signal obtained based on the detection at the body measurement point 6 is used.

The temperature sensor unit 2 may have one or more infrared sensors. These infrared sensors detect skin temperature _Th1 in a non-contact manner. For example, the temperature sensor unit 2 may have a point sensor which is associated with the surface of the body measurement location 6 or body measurement region 8 in connection with the two-dimensional movable sensor holder of the scanning unit 5. Scan.

  According to an alternative embodiment, the temperature sensor unit 2 may have a row of infrared sensors arranged in a row, and these infrared sensors are one-dimensional movable sensor holders of the scanning unit 5. In connection with the above, the surface of the body measurement point 6 or the body measurement region 8 is scanned. In particular, the temperature sensor unit 2 is a matrix sensor, that is, for example, 4 × 4 = 16 infrared sensors are arranged in a plane.

The optimum location (body measurement location 6) for the temperature sensor unit 2 can be obtained by scanning a predetermined area made possible by this arrangement format. At this body measurement location 6, the actual measurement operation of the skin temperature _Th1 is performed.

Optionally, an optical system may be arranged correspondingly to the temperature sensor unit 2 and thus the optical path is reinforced in the direction of the sensor. One or more infrared sensors of the temperature sensor unit 2 determine a human surface temperature _Th1 . This surface temperature _Th1 is significantly related to the body core temperature. The infrared signal of the temperature sensor unit 2 is converted into an electrical voltage signal in the notification unit 4 connected backwards, and the maximum value of the voltage is preferably selected for subsequent calculations. The evaluation unit has a computer in which the body core temperature T _c is _calculated by the following formula:
T _c = T _h1 + α / K _g · (T _h1 −t _amb )
Calculated according to

In this case, T _c = body core temperature to be calculated,
_Th1 = skin temperature,
t _amb = ambient temperature,
K _g = the thermal conductivity coefficient of the tissue at the specified location,
α = heat transfer between skin and surrounding area.

  The notification unit 4 can be connected to the evaluation unit 3 wirelessly. For example, the notification unit 4 may be integrated and arranged in a remotely located evaluation station or monitoring station.

  In order to be able to guide the infrared sensor of the temperature sensor unit 2 over the body measurement point 6 or the body measurement region 8, the scanning unit 5 has an actuator (step motor) and / or a joint, so that the temperature sensor unit 2 Can move along a set scanning path. The actuator may be formed as a piezoelectric actuator having a solid joint.

  According to another alternative embodiment (not shown), the infrared sensor of the temperature sensor unit 2 may be arranged in a stationary manner, and in this configuration, the optical system supported forward is movably supported. ing. The optical system for defining the field of view of the infrared sensor supported in the front is preferably arranged in an integrated manner in the casing of the temperature sensor unit 2.

  The infrared sensor may be formed as a thermoelement or bolometer arranged in a row. Thermoelements or bolometers may be arranged linearly.

As can be seen from the above formula, a temperature difference is necessary to define the body core temperature _Tc . In order to enable reliable temperature regulation at all times, a stabilization device is provided for adjusting or stabilizing the ambient temperature t _amb to a predetermined temperature. The temperature is particularly different from the temperature in the incubator with the infant 7. The stabilization device may comprise, for example, a Peltier cooler. Alternatively, the temperature difference can be maintained by extracting the heat of the infrared sensor through the hole in the incubator cover.

  According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, an orientation field may be correspondingly arranged in the body measurement area 8 or the body measurement location 6. This orientation field is removably applied to the body. The orientation field can be detected by the scanner of the scanning unit 5 and is used as a reference point for the scanning movement of the temperature sensor unit 2. The orientation field can be applied to the body using, for example, a resolvable color spot. The scanner of the scanning unit 5 may be formed as a web camera (Web-Camera), for example, and this web camera can be used to detect the position of the orientation field. After defining the orientation field, the temperature sensor unit 2 can be directed to the orientation field. Advantageously, the orientation field corresponds to the body measurement point 6. In this case, detection of the body measurement location 6 is automatically performed by the scanning unit 5. Subsequently, the body measurement point 6 is scanned in the second stage. When the baby 7 is moving, the temperature sensor unit 2 is post-adjusted continuously or at fixed or variable time intervals.

  According to yet another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), a calibration field may be provided at a predetermined location of the body or a thermotherapy device such as an incubator. In this calibration field, temperature measurement is calibrated. The calibration field is represented by a defined emissivity and a known temperature.

It is a block diagram of the measuring apparatus for non-contact-type regulation | regulation of body core temperature.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measuring device, 2 Temperature sensor unit, 3 Evaluation unit, 4 Notification unit, 5 Scan unit, 6 Body measurement location, 7 Infant, 8 Body measurement area

Claims (11)

  A method for prescribing a human body core temperature in a non-contact manner, wherein the surface temperature of a human is detected at a predetermined body measurement location using a temperature sensor unit arranged isolated from the body measurement location. A sensor signal formed by the temperature sensor unit is transmitted to an evaluation unit for evaluating the sensor signal and calculating a body core temperature, and the temperature signal formed in the evaluation unit is obtained In the type in which the temperature sensor unit (2) identifies the location of the body measurement area (8) in the first stage and the body measurement in the second stage, in the form of communicating to a notification unit for visually informing the temperature The region (8) is disassembled by the temperature sensor unit (2), thereby detecting the body measurement location (6), and detecting by the temperature sensor unit (2) at the body measurement location (6). How to define characterized the door, the human body core temperature in a non-contact manner.   2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the body measurement points (6) are scanned using the temperature sensor unit (2) continuously or at predetermined time intervals.   The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature sensor unit (2) is directed manually or automatically to the body measurement area (8) using the scanning unit (5).   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body measurement area (8) is decomposed using a temperature sensor unit (2) comprising a row of infrared sensors or a matrix of infrared sensors. A measuring device for defining the core temperature of a human body in a non-contact manner,
A temperature sensor unit for detecting the surface temperature of the human body;
An evaluation unit for evaluating a sensor signal transmitted from the temperature sensor unit and calculating a temperature signal;
In the form in which a notification unit is provided for visually and / or audibly notifying the core temperature of the human body,
A human body characterized in that a scanning unit (5) is arranged corresponding to the temperature sensor unit (2), whereby the temperature sensor unit (2) is automatically directed to the body measurement location (6) A measuring device for defining the core temperature in a non-contact manner.   6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the scanning unit (5) has a one-dimensional and / or two-dimensional movable sensor holder, on which the temperature sensor unit (2) is arranged.   7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the temperature sensor unit (2) comprises at least one infrared sensor which is a point sensor and / or a row of sensors or a matrix sensor.   Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the scanning unit (5) comprises an actuator and / or a coupling for moving the temperature sensor unit (2) along a predetermined scanning path. . The difference between the surface temperature (t _h1 ) and the ambient temperature (t _amb ) required for the measurement, the temperature sensor unit (2) having a bolometer as a sensor or a thermoelement connected in series 9. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein a stabilization device is provided for holding the device.   An orientation field is removably applied to the body measurement region (8) or body measurement location (6), whereby the orientation field is recognized by the scanner of the scanning unit (5) and the temperature sensor unit (2) is 10. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the device is oriented in an orientation field.   A calibration field with a defined emissivity and / or a predetermined ambient temperature is arranged in the body measurement area (8) or body measurement location (6) or anywhere on the body, whereby the temperature sensor unit (2) 11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the temperature measurement can be calibrated when the is directed to the calibration field.

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